The Last Will and Testament of Jesus. Following Jesus. John 13:36 14:31

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1 The Last Will and Testament of Jesus Following Jesus John 13:36 14:31

2 There are time when Following Jesus appears to make no sense Children disappoint Conflict looms large Crippling Failure Danger comes your way Death visits your family Health is endangered or gone Job is unsatisfactory Marriage is not working Mental health darkens No direction Prayers are not answered

3 On this Night Following Jesus was Bewildering 1. They had left everything to follow him 2. They heard him teach like nobody could teach 3. They saw him do what nobody could do; watched as thousands flocked to him 4. They heard him say they would all abandon him, their boldest leader would deny him and he would be going where they could not find him 5. Now he is saying: 1. One of you will betray me 2. They were understandably troubled! 6. They were asking earth-bound questions.his answers revealed to them the vastness of the universe its all the Father s house his being out of sight.not a big problem. I have come to you and I am leaving (their terms)

4 The Response of Jesus to the Questions of the Disciples Comfort How he comforted them is the way he is likely to comfort us Information How he informed them is how he informs us Direction How he directed them is likely to provide direction for us

5 NLT John 13:36 Simon Peter asked him, "Lord, where are you going?" Jesus replied, "Where I am going, you cannot follow now, but you will follow later." 37 Peter asked, "Lord, why can t I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you." 38 Then Jesus answered, "Will you really lay down your life for me? I tell you the truth, before the cock crows, you will disown me three times! 1 "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. 2 In my Father s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4 You know the way to the place where I am going." 5 Thomas said to him, "Lord, we don t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?" 6 Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No-one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him." 8 Philip said, "Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us." 9 Jesus answered: "Don t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, Show us the Father? 10 Don t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. 11 Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves. 12 I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. 13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. 14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it. 15 "If you love me, you will obey what I command. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counsellor to be with you for ever 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19 Before long, the world will not see me any more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 20 On that day you will realise that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. 21 Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him." 22 Then Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said, "But, Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?" 23 Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. 24 He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me. 28 "You heard me say, I am going away and I am coming back to you. If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. 29 I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe. 30 I will not speak with you much longer, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold on me, 31 but the world must learn that I love the Father and that I do exactly what my Father has commanded me. "Come now; let us leave.

6 His Words Speak to their Need for: Emotional Reassurance ER) Information I) Direction D) I) Vs. 36 You cannot follow now, but you will follow later ER) Vs.1 Don t let your heart be troubled ER) Vs. 1 Trust in God trust also in me I) Vs. 2 I am going to prepare a place for you many rooms ER) Vs. 2 If it were not so I would have told you I) Vs. 3 I will come back and take you to be with me ER) Vs. 4 You know the way to where I am going I) Vs. 6 I am the way.to the father if you know me you know him have seen me, have seen him believe my words & works

7 His Words Speak to their Need for: Emotional Reassurance ER) Information I) Direction D) D) Vs.12 anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing He came to save the world John 3:17:12:47 He came to give life and give it to the full John 6:33; 10:10 He came to be lifted up, be glorified, draw all to himself John 12:23,27, 32 ER) Vs. 12 He will do greater things than what I have been doing I) Vs. 14 I will do whatever you ask ask anything

8 Examples of extreme or exaggerated language, to make a strong point, stronger! From the teachings of Jesus So if your eye even your good eye causes you to lust, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. Matthew 5:29 But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect. Matthew 5:48 But when you give to someone in need, don t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. Matthew 6:3 But Jesus told him, Follow me now. Let the spiritually dead bury their own dead. Matthew 8:22 What do you mean, If I can? Jesus asked. Anything is possible if a person believes. Mark 9:23 26 "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters yes, even his own life he cannot be my disciple. Luke 14:26 So Jesus said again, I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you cannot have eternal life within you. John 6:53, 54

9 His Words Speak to their Need for: Emotional Reassurance ER) Information I) Direction D) D) Vs. 15 If you love me, you will obey I) Vs. 16 We will send another counsellor to be with you forever. You know him for he lives in you ER) Vs. 18 I will not leave you orphans I) Vs I will come to you, you will see me I) Vs. 19 Because I live, you also will live ER) Vs. 20 On that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. ID) Vs. 21 Whoever has my commands and obeys them loves me ER) Vs. 23 The one who loves me, my Father will love and we will come to him and make our home with him

10 His Words Speak to their Need for: Emotional Reassurance ER) Information I) Direction D) D) Vs. 24 He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. I) Vs. 26 The holy spirit will teach and remind you of everything ER) Vs. 27 Peace I give you, my peace, not like that of the world ER) Vs. 27 Don t let your hearts be troubled or afraid I) Vs. 30 I will not speak with you much longer, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold on me D) Vs. 31 but the world must learn that I love the Father and that I do exactly what my Father has commanded me.

11 The Last Will and Testament of Jesus Following Jesus: 1. Is to find comfort, spiritual knowledge and direction from Him 2. Is to obey. Do what He was doing. 1. Save the world 2. Give life to the world 3. Point the world to the one who was lifted up, glorified and has returned to the Father 3. Be certain that you know the way to the Father it s Him!

12 The day you gave your life to Christ, you signed a full-time ministry employee agreement. A very small percentage of Christians are financially supported to do Christian ministry. So it's very likely that you work in the educational, manufacturing, retail, medical, financial, or some other industry. But no matter who pays your salary, you're a full-time employee of the kingdom of God. And wherever you work, that's your ministry. Whatever you're good at, that's your calling. Every business negotiation is an opportunity for Christ to shine through you. Every teachable moment with your children is a bright spot in the making. Everywhere you set your foot is potential holy ground. And this concept is the key to effectiveness in the local church.